Greenairy Plans Smart Plant Towers for Office Air

Startup Greenairy is developing plant towers designed to draw in air, break down toxic gases and release purified air. Founders Tanvi Thombre and Lakshya Saraf began investigating indoor air pollution after working in a university makerspace where, Thombre said, they were unknowingly exposed to fumes from laser cutters, 3D printers and soldering irons. Her best friend fainted and went to the hospital before they recognized the exposure.

The founders say conventional air purifiers can capture particles such as dust and pollen but are less effective against gases including carbon dioxide, formaldehyde and benzene. Greenairy says its towers use plants and microbes to target volatile organic compounds (VOCs), without filters that need replacement.

The company has run short-term pilots at sites around Singapore. In its own testing, it compared three offices: one with a Greenairy tower, one with a medical-grade ionizer and one with a HEPA purifier. Saraf said the tower had the lowest VOC levels and removed them fastest. Thombre reported a 50% reduction in both daily average and peak VOC levels during regular office hours. The company said results were validated by TÜV SÜD, with publication planned soon.

Greenairy plans to begin large-scale manufacturing after certification of the results. The founders are currently based in Berkeley, California, and Singapore. They expect to launch their first mass-produced towers and install them for initial customers in Singapore in the first half of 2027, if plans proceed as expected.